The Chair of Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Professor Uju Agomoh, has urged members of the 2026 SPIDEL Conference Planning Committee (CPC) to ensure that the forthcoming annual conference leaves a lasting legacy for the legal profession rather than becoming “just another conference.”

Agomoh gave the charge on Thursday while inaugurating the 2026 SPIDEL Conference Planning Committee during a virtual ceremony, where she described the assignment before the committee as both a privilege and a significant responsibility.

She reminded members that the NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference has evolved into one of the Nigerian Bar Association’s foremost platforms for public interest advocacy, legal scholarship, policy engagement and professional development, noting that every edition must build on the successes of its predecessors.

“Our goal is not simply to organise another conference. Our objective is to deliver an intellectually stimulating, professionally enriching, technologically seamless and administratively efficient conference that reflects the values and aspirations of NBA-SPIDEL,” Agomoh declared.

She stressed that every aspect of the conference — from technical sessions and delegate experience to logistics, sponsorship, publicity and stakeholder engagement — must reflect the Section’s tradition of excellence.

The SPIDEL Chair said members of the committee were carefully selected based on their competence, integrity, commitment and proven capacity to deliver results, describing their appointment as “a call to service” rather than merely an honour.

She urged the committee to embrace teamwork, innovation, discipline and accountability throughout the planning process, emphasizing that excellence could only be achieved through collective effort and a shared vision.

“The responsibility entrusted to this Committee is therefore both significant and demanding. You have been carefully selected because of your proven competence, integrity, commitment and capacity to deliver. Your appointment is not merely an honour; it is a call to service,” she said.

Agomoh assured the committee of the full support of the NBA-SPIDEL leadership, adding however that the ultimate success of the conference would depend on members’ dedication, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to excellence.

The 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Conference Planning Committee is headed by Mr. Ejike Ezenwa, SAN, with Mr. Emmanuel Ogunjide serving as Alternate Chairman. Dr. Lilian Ojimma will oversee the committee’s secretariat as Secretary, while Mr. Daniel Kip serves as Assistant Secretary.

The committee boasts a distinguished cross-section of Nigeria’s legal and public policy community, comprising Senior Advocates of Nigeria, seasoned legal practitioners, academics, former public office holders, development experts, media professionals and public interest advocates, underscoring SPIDEL’s commitment to inclusiveness, excellence and collaborative leadership.

Its membership includes former Minister of Aviation Mr. Osita Chidoka; Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Emmanuel Bwacha; constitutional lawyer Chinyere Moneme, SAN; senior practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate Mr. Ikhide Ehighelua; renowned actor and lawyer Mr. Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, MFR (aka Kanayo O. Kanayo); public interest advocate Mr. George Itodo; arbitrator, legal blogger and Notary Public, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke; Publisher of Newswire Law Events Magazine, Gloria Ireka, as well as several legal scholars, Senior Advocates and development professionals expected to contribute their wealth of experience toward delivering a successful 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Conference.

Expressing appreciation to members for accepting the responsibility despite their demanding professional and personal schedules, Agomoh said their willingness to serve demonstrated confidence in the vision and future of NBA-SPIDEL.

She further explained that the committee’s assignment extends beyond organising a successful event to advancing legal scholarship, promoting meaningful dialogue on issues of public interest, strengthening institutions and contributing to national development.

“As we formally inaugurate this Committee today, I urge you to approach your assignment with purpose, passion, integrity and professionalism. Let us work together to deliver a conference that advances legal scholarship, promotes meaningful dialogue on issues of public interest, strengthens our institutions and leaves a lasting legacy for the legal profession and our nation,” she charged.

Agomoh also disclosed that the committee’s work would involve extensive collaboration and coordination across various subcommittees, adding that their terms of reference would subsequently be presented for deliberation and implementation.

She formally inaugurated the committee on behalf of the NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee and wished members a successful tenure.

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